Residents of Ludhiana bundled up against a piercing chill on Monday night. The city's minimum temperature plunged to a frigid 4.2 degrees Celsius, marking a bitterly cold evening.
Temperature Plummets Below Normal
The Meteorological Department confirmed the sharp drop. This reading sits 1.4 degrees below the expected seasonal normal. It also represents a further dip of 0.4 degrees from the previous night's temperature.
Interestingly, the last time Ludhiana experienced a similar low of 4.2°C was on December 2nd of last year. This highlights the recurring intensity of the winter season.
A Chilly Day Follows a Cold Night
Monday offered little respite even after sunrise. Despite sunshine, the maximum daytime temperature struggled to reach 11.9 degrees Celsius. This was a significant 5.8 degrees below the normal level and 4.5 degrees colder than Sunday.
This continues a trend of severe cold. Just days ago, on January 7th, Ludhiana endured its coldest day in two years. The daytime temperature that day was recorded at a mere 11.2 degrees Celsius.
Dense Fog Grips the City
The cold was accompanied by thick fog, severely reducing visibility. Morning commuters faced challenging conditions with visibility limited to just 500 meters at 8:30 AM.
The situation showed little improvement through the day. Visibility remained at 500 meters by 11:30 AM. It saw a slight increase to 800 meters around 2:30 PM, but dropped back down to 500 meters by the evening at 5:30 PM.
Weather Alerts Issued for Ludhiana
In response to the harsh conditions, the Meteorological Department has issued specific warnings for the district.
An orange alert is in effect for Tuesday. This alert signals that relevant departments must prepare for severe weather. The forecast predicts a severe cold wave, possible ground frost, and very dense fog in several areas.
A yellow alert follows for the next three days. This alert keeps authorities updated, warning of continued dense fog at isolated places across Ludhiana district.
Weekly Temperature Forecast
The Met Department's website provides a glimpse into the coming days. The forecast suggests fluctuating temperatures:
- Tuesday: Day temperature may rise to around 15°C. Night temperature could fall further to 4°C.
- Wednesday: Day temperature might drop slightly to 14°C, with the night temperature holding at 4°C.
- Thursday & Friday: A gradual warming trend is expected. Day temperature could reach 16°C by Friday. Night temperatures may increase to 6°C on Thursday and remain steady.
The persistent cold wave and fog advisories urge citizens to take necessary precautions. People are advised to stay warm, limit early morning outdoor exposure, and travel carefully in low-visibility conditions.
